For those who love to play golf, such as Dr. Hauser, and many of our friends and colleagues, few things are as frustrating as dealing with back pain while striving to play your best out on the course. Many golfers suffer from back pain due to the repetitive nature of the golf swing and the strain it places on the lower back. However, by addressing and treating back pain, golfers can not only alleviate pain but also achieve substantial improvement in their golf scores – unless of course, you are just a terrible golfer! LOL.
Back pain can significantly affect a golfer’s performance. The pain itself can be distracting and uncomfortable, making it difficult to maintain focus and execute consistent swings.
In addition, back pain often leads to compensatory movements, altering your natural swing mechanics. This, in turn, affects the timing, power, and accuracy of your shots and nobody wants that! Over time, these changes can become habits, making it even more challenging to correct.
Lastly, players with back pain may unconsciously reduce their swing speed or range of motion to avoid aggravating their condition, resulting in a loss of distance and control ending up in the water or the sand! And nobody wants that!
What can Caring Medical and Prolotherapy do for your golf swing? The first step in improving your back health and your golf score is to seek a consultation with a medical provider who treats sports-related injuries who can identify the root cause of your back pain, such as our providers at Caring Medical Florida, Ross Hauser, MD, and Danielle Matias, MMS, PA-C. A comprehensive evaluation will help pinpoint any underlying issues, such as muscle imbalances, poor posture, joint instability, and ligament and tendon laxity (looseness). With this knowledge, we can develop an individualized treatment plan to address your specific needs and get you back to playing pain-free golf! Prolotherapy works by stimulating your body to repair injured area(s), such as ligament and tendons, thus making them stronger and tighter, relieving the pain, often caused by muscles that must do the supporting work of the damaged ligaments and tendons.
Exercises and stretches for golfers: Once your back has been assessed and treated, incorporating targeted exercises and stretches into your routine can work wonders for improving mobility and enhancing your golf performance. Strengthening your core muscles, especially the abdominals and lower back, can provide greater support for the spine during the golf swing. Additionally, flexibility exercises, such as yoga or Pilates, or working with bands can help improve range of motion and reduce muscle tension, promoting a more fluid and efficient swing.
Keep your back strong: Before teeing off, develop a warm-up routine that includes dynamic stretches to increase blood flow to the muscles and prepare your body for the demands of golf. Warming up not only reduces the risk of injury but also sets the foundation for a smoother, more consistent swing. Include practice swings with a focus on maintaining proper posture and balance to reinforce good mechanics, engaging your core.
Equipment and swing modifications: The right golf equipment and swing modifications can significantly alleviate strain on your back. Consider investing in clubs that are custom-fitted to your height, swing speed, and physical attributes. An ill-fitted club can exacerbate back pain and negatively impact your golf performance. Furthermore, working with a golf professional to assess and fine-tune your swing mechanics can be tremendously helpful. Simple adjustments, such as maintaining a more neutral spine angle or avoiding over-rotation, can make a substantial difference in preventing or reducing back pain.
Listen to your body: We know golfers love to golf – and want to get out to play as much as possible. However, we want to encourage you when dealing with back pain, this can be counterproductive. Listen to your body and take breaks when needed when at the driving range, putting green, or golf rounds. Overexertion can worsen existing back problems and hinder your progress. Gradually build up your playing time and intensity as your back health improves. Work on strengthening your core and proper posture.
We encourage you golfers out there to take care of your bodies, hit the fairways with confidence, and enjoy the game you love pain-free! We are here to help you so just give us a call!
Dr Hauser has been working on his back and developed this powerful swing!
